Introduction / HistoryThe Georgians trace their ancestry back to Japheth, son of Noah. Lovers of wine, spicy food, and song, Georgians are known for their openhanded hospitality. A French woman who visited the country in 1924 described them as "hospitable to the point of folly, hotheaded, warmhearted, ardently patriotic and absurdly sensitive, their manners are affable and simple, politely cajoling, and proud at the same time." They are fiercely proud of their land and cultural heritage.

A theme of tragedy has followed the Georgians through the millennia. Successive waves of invading conquerors, including Greeks under Alexander the Great, Rome, Persia, and Byzantium, all conquered Georgia, hammering the nation. Around the year 330 AD, Christianity came to Georgia, confirmed to the Georgian royal family with signs and wonders. From the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries, Georgia threw off Islamic rule and experienced a Golden Age of peace and prosperity.

Gengis Khan's Mongol hoarde brought an end to the Golden Age. During the sixteenth century the Turks advanced into Georgia, followed by the Persians. In the late 1700s Georgians looked to Russia for protection from surrounding Islamic states. Russia annexed Georgia into her empire in 1801. Georgia looked for an opportunity to end Russian influence, and declared independence following the Bolshevik Revolution. Though Georgian patriots fought fiercely, they were overcome and were forced to join the USSR in 1921. Georgians never lost their passionate desire to regain their freedom and declared their country's independence in 1991.

What are their beliefs?The Georgians have a national Orthodox Church, which has its own catholic patriarch. There is a strong Muslim segment in the country as well.

Prayer Points* Pray for racial unity and peace.
* Pray for freedom for missions, for an easing in ethnic tensions and for a spiritual revival.
* Pray for the work of the "Jesus" film among Georgians and that follow-up and church planting can occur.